A VIEW FROM THE EDGE CONVERSATION CLUB NEWSLETTER Issue 58

A view from the edge Doncaster Conversation Club Newsletter

05 September 2019

STANDING ALONGSIDE REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS IN DONCASTER IN THIS ISSUE

Paying attention By Paul FitzPatrick migration policy that is (at least I was reflecting on the challenges of the current strategy and a new somewhat) humane, rational, and continuing to pay attention to the direction. The current strategy has serves Europe’s economic interests. situation of people seeking asylum. been the prevention of migration The necessary steps which this This includes the ways in which the into Europe. This has produced an requires are outlined at issues are framed, at a time when endless recycling of fantastical www.ecre.org the BBC (never mind the Daily Mail) solutions to Europe’s ‘migration talks about a ‘migrant crisis in the problem’: external processing, English Channel’ but provides little detention in neighbouring countries, information or insight into the 54 return everybody, create an boats and 2000 people in distress in environment so hostile that no-one the Mediterranean, which contacted will want to come (because ‘pull Alarm Phone in the eight weeks to 7 factors’ are drawing them to Europe, July. People continue to arrive in even though there is no evidence Re-visiting Moria camp Page 2 Greece, Italy, Spain and Malta; and they exist). This approach both conditions in Lesvos, for example, requires and feeds the fear that in have become so bad that 1400 turn fuels the far-right populists, people have been moved on to small rather than making them go away as camp near the border with Northern some claim. Macedonia. The alternative, the second road, Then I read the latest bulletin from leads to support for a functioning ECRE. This surely deserves a wide asylum system in Europe, and Barnby Dun paddle readership. The EU, it suggests, faces deploying resources to make it work, a choice between a continuation of and to putting in place an overall Page 5 A VIEW FROM THE EDGE DONCASTER CONVERSATION CLUB 2 NEWSLETTER | Issue 58

stss Revisiting Moria women and children via their Detention Centre and the adjoining network of contacts in Lesvos and ‘Tent City’ – enjoying games, music, Detention Centre, assists refugee women by providing craft and painting paper, fabric as food and some of their basic needs. well as singing and making music Lesvos – Part 2 together. By Lilian Hollidge [DCC Recognising the recent history of just Volunteer] some of the vulnerable refugees in ‘Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) Lesvos, dissatisfied with the media support refugees with medical needs support of just one specific when needed (and also made a Detention Centre and anxious to welcome cup of tea to be shared learn whether there were any with ourselves and others at the end positive changes to their situations, I of the afternoon) in the high returned to Moria for just two temperatures of the early summer. weeks. I hoped to carry on as Sultana Foundation had begun to ‘Refugee with Refugee’ volunteers support vulnerable women and were constructing an Adventure children, not to make massive steps Playground – with climbing walls, of change but to continue to support swings, climbing frames, monkey and to assist in developing their bars, slides etc, to provide some Prior to continuing my personal projects. The following steps were distractions and entertainment for journey into the infamous MORIA not taken lightly nor in humour, my the children, amongst the bright, Detention Centre, I feel I need to approach in no way lessens colourful stones interspersed explain about the organisation that vulnerable women and children’s amongst the dry soil, rocks, withering welcomed me into their long term plight. grasses and olive trees. mission – the Sultana Foundation, who focus on the most vulnerable Passing alongside Moria Centre daily, I spent some mornings exploring the refugees who are women and with its broken fencing, I saw mobile narrow, steep streets of Mytilini children. Sultana were the first to toilets, large outside sinks and harbour town. Sometimes knowing establish a Women Only safe space running tap water, used for washing exactly where I was going and other outside the Moria Refugee Camp in clothes, for personal hygiene and for times walking for what seemed miles Lesvos in October 2017. filling water containers for cooking, admiring the beautiful architecture drinking and washing utensils. and cafes as well as spotting some Thousands of refugees continue to Visibly there seemed to be places of worship – a beautiful arrive in Greece every month. The something missing though. It took a Domed Cathedral; an unused mainstream media no longer cover while to register – the enormous Mosque and a small Church which these events, even when dozens multi-bunk “Marquee” that made me smile! Thousands of miles drown crossing the Aegean Sea from previously housed African refugees of travel and I had stumbled across Turkey to Greece. Many of these had disappeared. Replacing it there Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic refugees arrive after suffering years were smaller 2 family tents provided Church- I’d found home again! of war and strife in Syria and other by UNHCR charity. These were sited countries, looking for safety and closer to the front of the entrance Back to reality, I helped with setting sanctuary. area. up records of the ever-increasing refugee Volunteers, the bakers and On arrival, a large majority of these There were other volunteer agencies the quantities of breads baked and refugees, including vulnerable servicing the many communities in distributed… to ensure that the women and children are placed in and around Moria, trying to make a provision would be carried on if over-crowded, insanitary camps, and difference for the refugees, new and Azam was not able to be there fed sub-standard food lacking long term, for example the ‘START’ physically. nutrition, and given inadequate organisation who would entertain shelter. Sultana Foundation focuses and play with the many children on I reflect now on occasions of my on identifying the most vulnerable an open area at the entrance to the sitting / thinking about the refugees A VIEW FROM THE EDGE DONCASTER CONVERSATION CLUB 3 NEWSLETTER | Issue 58

stss as I experienced feelings of The photo shows Ghalia ‘numbness’; of holding myself at a The work of Re-Define (Mediator, University of York), distance; how easy it would be to with volunteers from DCC. walk away and forget everything I By Carol Taylor They would like to thank Janice

had seen and heard; to the extremes and her team for making them of wanting to SHOUT about the feel welcome and supporting injustice from the rooftops! At the research where they can in other times I had a strong sense of an often emotive and busy pride for R and F and other refugees environment. for the shelters they had made for families RE-DEFINE is a World Health Asylum Statistics Organisation research study. It Periodically a sense of anger at the is funded to test how effective The immigration statistics for the MORIA Management who, even and useful the SelfHelp+ (SH+) second quarter of 2019 have been though they had the Tarpaulins is for Arabic speaking released. Here are some of the donated, still required the refugees Refugees and Asylum seekers headlines regarding asylum figures. to purchase these out of their €190 a from various countries who month for food and clothing and experience some emotional There were 32,693 asylum sanitary goods. distress. The SH+ is a type of applications in the UK (main mindfulness intervention based applicants only) in the year ending Hearing of a sense of despair and on acceptance and June 2019, 21% more than the relief when a family experienced commitment therapy (ACT) previous year but below the level their baby dying from Hypothermia which is a form of cognitive seen in the year ending June 2016. lying alongside them in their ‘Tent’ in behavioural therapy. The aim the freezing Winter … and in contrast of the study is to test how There were 3,496 applications from to the sense of ‘hope’ as they receive effective this intervention is. unaccompanied minors, 39% more a date for their interview to decide if than the previous year. These they are able to stay and move The University of York are a accounted for 11% of total asylum through the process to safety and site for this research and you applications in the latest year. security or to return to wherever may have seen Carol and her they came. “Hope in their colleagues recruiting at the There were 20,366 initial decisions wilderness?” Conversation Club. With the made in the last year, of which 44% support of the Club they have (9,052) were grants of asylum, had 17 referrals and humanitarian protection or successfully recruited eight alternative forms of leave; compared participants. with 28% in the previous year.

There were 31,884 cases pending initial decision at the end of June 2019. 53% (16,970) were more than 6 months old, the largest backlog recorded in asylum statistics.

There were 10,016 appeal decisions in the last year, 42% of which were allowed (4,200).

At the end of June 2019, 45,203 asylum seekers in the UK were in receipt of Section 95, up 6% from the same time the previous year. A VIEW FROM THE EDGE DONCASTER CONVERSATION CLUB 4 NEWSLETTER | Issue 58

stss In the year ending June 2019, 5,691 start the session is quite interesting people to locate their family people were provided protection when they say “Police in the UK are members who went missing in their under resettlement schemes (a friendly and can be approached any survival journey. Family reunion similar number to the previous year). time for help, it is different from options are limited and in some The Vulnerable Person Resettlement other countries. There is no need to special cases can be considered. Scheme (VPRS) accounted for nearly be scared of them.” They use three-quarters (4,200) of those Like many other incidents, women different vehicles as per need. resettled in the UK in the year domestic abuse is also unreported. ending June 2019. A further 202 Fire department has done a good Among other reasons one could be refugees were resettled through the job, there are fire hazards which in a unawareness. In certain communities Community Sponsorship scheme. normal life we never think about. women are not treated well and due The statistics now also include a Their job is not only to help in case of to fear and lack of knowledge they section on the ‘outcome of asylum a fire but to create awareness to don’t seek any help. There are applications’, which estimate the prevent it. They have created a organisations who help such victims final grant rate and outcomes of applications by year. The tables model from an actual fire scene to to live a better life without any fear. help people understand how bad it illustrate that of the asylum Having adequate knowledge about can be if we don’t take care. In applications made in the years 2015 housing can save someone from to 2017, where the outcome us todays electronic world we are going into a homeless situation. known, around half (49%) resulted in surrounded by many different types There are different options for some form of grant of leave to of devices. It has so much influence housing in Doncaster. The remain in the UK, including after the in our lives that we can see that even organisations who provide conclusion of any appeals. babies are busy on devices. These accommodation also cater for certain devices can be dangerous at times age groups. Timing is very important when put charging and left Lifewise revisited to prevent yourself from being unattended or overnight. A little homeless. By Basil Nadeem care toward these gadgets can make them safe for everyone. Kitchen is This is quite a lot of information and The Lifewise facility in Rotherham another place where electrical very useful too. I feel that everyone has everything for those who are appliances are used. To make it more should come to this “LIFE WISE” starting or about to their life in the safe smoke detectors needs to be event, it gives an opportunity to UK. Due difference in many cultures checked and functional. In case of clarify any misconceptions, directly and local practices in many parts of any fire, how we should react and from the horse’s mouth. We are the world, it is very important to what to do first was briefly fortunate that DCC provides this learn about different public service explained. 999 is the number to call opportunity to all refuges and asylum and social services. How these in emergency and say FIRE if you seeker to start a “WISE LIFE” in the operate and what to expect from need them and you post code. UK. them and what they expect from us while in the UK. In a day tour only Magistrate court deals with hate few of the departments can been crime, it is very important that it has visited. We visited Police, Fire, to be reported. A separate Magistrate Court, Red Cross, Women department is set to deal with such Domestic Abuse and Housing. Each incidents when reported. Often gave a presentation on an overall people ignore and don’t report. functions and responsibilities. It was new to learn that RED Cross Police was of interest of people as at helps to locate missing family

the end they have some uniforms members in many countries. This available for public to try and take organisation works in many parts of pictures. The opening sentence to the world. They have helped many A VIEW FROM THE EDGE DONCASTER CONVERSATION CLUB 5 NEWSLETTER | Issue 58

stss Barnby Dun paddle Yes I liked to walk in the canal and to Some comments from those share food with others. It was very who took part good. The Barnby Dun paddle has become something of an annual fixture in the The trip was beautiful, simple and The atmosphere was lovely. I DCC calendar. engaging. Trying out the canoes was enjoyed canoeing. The walk was definitely an experience. I believe wonderful and peaceful. We saw Asylum Seekers would appreciate fishing and meet nice people and we from time to time an outing that picked and ate berries. involves experiencing an aspect of the English culture. Maybe I like how everyone was working something they have never together and having fun because not experienced back home (canoes for often you see all nationalities (or instance). different people) come together. It was fun for everyone. And the food The BBQ part made me reminisce. was great. We had a lovely BBQ! I Last time I had a Syrian BBQ was over will also like to thank you for making It is only made possible through the six years. It brought back good it happen – by a kid (aged 14y) hospitality of Kevin and Sharmin memories with every bite. Jones who open their house and I liked it when I went on the boat garden, the skills of the canoeing because it was my first time trying it. volunteers from the Kool Kayakers Thank you so much. Canoeing Club, and the culinary expertise of the Syrian barbecuers It’s a wonderful today. I enjoyed it. under the direction of Thabet and Thank all staff for helping. The bbq Rania from Zaytuna. and another food and drinks are delicious. I hope to come back again. Sixty people took part. Trinidad 3 Today was a incredible day, spend it Chad 2 with friendly people. I’m looking Eritrea 2 It was a fabulous day with friends. I forward for the next trip. Libya 1 enjoyed the canoe paddle on the Iran 1 canal. We haved fun and racing Tunisia 2 together. I got to know new people. Sudan 9 They are friendly and kind. Eventually Syria 4 we had our lunch in a sweet house El Salvador 2 beside the canal, the food and BBQ Mauritius 1 was amazing. I’m blessed and feel DRC 1 great. Rwanda 1 India 1 The wonderful outgoing nature of Total people seeking 30 our guides as well canoe instructors asylum was so special. The patience and the UK DCC vols 10 history lessons learnt along the way KKCC vols (including 5 will stay with me always. Our food our hosts) host was exceptional. They welcomed all with such class and Syrian team doing 15 kindness. BBQ - including

children Grand total 60

A VIEW FROM THE EDGE DONCASTER CONVERSATION CLUB 6 NEWSLETTER | Issue 58

stss The world is stepping Brief news headlines minority group who live primarily in China’s northwestern Xinjiang region, back 1. Home Office refused thousands of as well as other Turkic Muslim LGBT asylum claims minorities in the region. The By Ahmad Albahrani The UK Home Office has refused at crackdown, allegedly a counter- least 3,100 asylum claims from extremism measure, includes In Trump's presidency, hate crime lesbian, gay, bisexual and implementation of a widespread rates increased through his transgender (LGBT) nationals from arbitrary detention policy with the poisoned speeches. He gave countries where consensual same- aim of “re-educating” the orders to prevent the entry of sex acts are criminalised. Uyghurs. An estimated 1 million some countries to people are being detained in these At least 1,197 LGBT Pakistanis were America. Unashamedly told to internment camps for minor four members of Congress to refused asylum after making a claim violations, without formal charges or return home. He built the border for protection on grounds of sexual access to legal representation. wall between America and orientation between 2016 and 2018,

Mexico, such as the apartheid according to an analysis by the According to Adrian Zenz, a leading wall in Palestine and South Africa. Liberal Democrats of figures expert on the issue, there may be as Unfortunately the result was the published by the Home Office. A many as 1,200 camps – at least one killing of 20 innocent further 640 LGBT Bangladeshis and for every township and county in Mexicans. Imprisonment of 389 Nigerians had their claims on the immigrants and their families in same grounds refused during the Xinjiang. While authorities in Beijing call the camps “vocational training non-viable places. period. centers,” claiming that detainees are Source: The Guardian 2 Sept 2019 I do not forget the massacre in taught language, culture and New Zealand in which Muslims 2. Home Office Welcome Guide for vocational skills, reports of political were killed due to hatred. And New Refugees indoctrination and physical torture what ISIS’s massacre achieved in suggest a different narrative. For The Home Office has published a Iraq and Syria. example, reports have claimed guide for adults who have been Now we find the oppression of inmates are forced to study granted asylum in to access the Uighurs in China and the Communist propaganda and chant public services and make the most of Rohingyas. the opportunities in the UK. The slogans in praise of Xi Jinping in order

guide includes a general introduction to earn a meal. We already live in the time of to the UK and an overview of what Hitler and the time of the old needs to happen in the ‘move on Repression of the Uyghurs in the religious and ethnic wars. period’ for newly recognised Xinjiang region stems from Which made me wonder whether refugees in terms of accessing longstanding ethnic tensions, mainly are we going backwards time or support, employment and housing. It between the Han Chinese, the history is repeating itself? also has an information on how to Uyghurs and the government. access education and healthcare, and In particular, we live in a time of an overview of rights and Factors such as the mass state- Brexit, which would put responsibilities, and a list of useful sponsored migration of Han Chinese, immigrants in Britain at risk. That contacts. The guide is available in 12 suppression of a unique Uyghur we could see every day and read languages identity and violent handling of Uyghur separatism have resulted in a on newspaper hate crime is 3. The Uyghur situation happening frequency and surge in violence in recent years. becomes obvious and familiar. In March 2017, China’s government launched a mass crackdown against Source: Jewish World Watch the Uyghurs, a Muslim ethnic A VIEW FROM THE EDGE DONCASTER CONVERSATION CLUB 7 NEWSLETTER | Issue 58

stss Missing but not forgotten – disappearances and the trauma for It is usually the most complex cases how British Red Cross helps people separated from their family. that end up with the tracing service, and their complexity means they to search for missing people Searching for missing people can be usually need a multi-pronged an arduous process. The cases the approach: reaching out to different charity works on can often take Red Cross and Red Crescent teams Across the world, millions of people years to resolve and the news is not across the globe, consulting have fled their homes in search of a always positive. One recent success European-wide databases of missing safer place to live. According to story is that of Mohammed* who people, or even getting people to UNHCR (United Nations High fled his home in North Africa in draw maps of the last place they saw Commissioner for Refugees), there December 2015, fearing for his life. a family member, so that a local Red are about 25.9 million refugees Cross team can go out and try to get across the globe with over half under When Mohammed lost contact with a message to them. the age of 18. The Red Cross Red his pregnant wife and two children, Crescent movement is the world’s he refused to give up hope that he Emily Knox, head of restoring family largest humanitarian network, would see them again. Four years links at British Red Cross says: supporting refugees, migrants and on, after reaching safety in the UK, “Although the rewards for people seeking asylum. he was still holding out for news of successfully finding someone’s

his family. His search took him back missing relative are like no other, In the UK, as well as distributing food and forth to France, where he shared International Day of the Disappeared and clothing to destitute refugees descriptions of his loved ones in is a day when we remember all those and providing learning and mosques and community centres in still missing and stand in solidarity volunteering opportunities, a big a desperate bid to track them down. with family members who are still part of the British Red Cross’ work is searching for answers.” reuniting families and searching for It wasn’t until he uploaded his photo people’s loved ones who have gone to the British Red Cross’ Trace the *name changed. missing because of conflict, natural Face website – an online database of disasters or migration. missing people across the globe – For more information on the work of

that his luck changed. Just five days the British Red Cross, visit Each year the British Red Cross later, he received the good news he www.redcross.org.uk family tracing team receives around had been searching for: his family 2,500 referrals and last year the Red had been found, safe and sound, and Cross Red Crescent movement his wife had given birth to a little girl. DCC participates in family tracing run worked on over 139,000 cases of by the Red Cross. missing persons worldwide. Mohammed said: ‘When I found out I Requests came from countries like couldn’t speak, I cried for so many Yemen, Nigeria, Syria, Afghanistan minutes. Happy is not money, not a and Iraq and about 7000 people were FORTHCOMING DATES good car, not a good job. Family, successfully found in 2018. But this is children – that is happy.’ just a fraction of all the people 07 September DCC outing to the Hope Valley believed to be missing worldwide. But cases like Mohammed’s don’t

happen every day, and for many 17 September SYMAAG To commemorate people who are Committee meeting 7pm people they continue to face years of missing and to stand in solidarity uncertainty and their loved one may with those left behind, the Red Cross 27-29 September QARN never be found. Most people come Red Crescent movement is today Conference: ‘Envisioning a to the Red Cross as a last resort, world that is open to all: let us honouring the UN International Day having exhausted all other routes see what love can do’ of the Disappeared, which is and contacts to find their family first Woodbrooke, Birmingham marked every year on the 30th of themselves. August. This day helps to create

more awareness about the issue of A VIEW FROM THE EDGE DONCASTER CONVERSATION CLUB 8 NEWSLETTER | Issue 58

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To receive a copy of this newsletter by email, send a message to A view from [email protected] the edge Please send your contributions and suggestions to the same address. Doncaster Conversation Club offers opportunities for local people Doncaster and people who have sought asylum in the UK to join together to share friendship, while offering support and practical help. Conversation The Club seeks to create a relaxed, friendly and supportive environment, Club and works on the principles of Ownership – everyone can get involved Newsletter Impartiality – it is not affiliated to any political or religious body Confidentiality – what you say is private Respect – for each other’s differences and individuality.

Based at the DCC is pleased to acknowledge the support of Doncaster Society of Friends (Quakers), The Red Cross, The Refugee Council, Migrant Help, DIAL Doncaster, The Doncaster Clinical Commissioning Quaker Meeting House Group, IAPT, St Leger Homes, Club Doncaster Foundation, Ongo, YMCA, DARTS, CAST, DEMRP, Changing Lives, The Health Bus, Off St James St Fareshare, The Brelms Trust, The Ruth Hayman Trust, Doncaster Minster, Doncaster Central Library, Doncaster Museum, Doncaster DN1 3RH Doncaster Prison Bikes project and Doncaster College.

The Doncaster Conversation Club is run entirely by volunteers with the support of occasional grants for specific activities.

The views expressed in this newsletter are those of the individual contributors.

Paul FitzPatrick Doncaster Conversation Club Doncaster, South

Registered Charity number 1159775 Issue 58

05 September 2019